Four exceptional college basketball talents are vying for the coveted first overall selection in this year’s NBA draft, with AJ Dybantsa from BYU and Darryn Peterson from Kansas leading the conversation alongside Duke’s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.
These four athletes stand apart from their peers in what experts consider a talent-rich draft class. The question now centers on which order teams will select them.
Washington holds the top selection for the first time since selecting John Wall in 2010. The Jazz, Grizzlies, and Bulls occupy the next three spots in the draft order.
“It would mean a lot,” Dybantsa expressed Wednesday during the NBA draft combine when asked about potentially being chosen first. “It would just mean that all my hard work is paying off. All the countless hours and all the sacrifices I made have paid off.”
The nation’s leading scorer from last season believes he would mesh well with Washington’s roster. The franchise posted a dismal 17-65 record, marking their worst season since 1967. Following eight consecutive losing campaigns, the organization may be ready for improvement.
However, Dybantsa’s selection at the top spot remains uncertain. Strong arguments exist for Peterson, along with Boozer and Wilson.
“For me, it’s just about going to the right fit, the right situation for me,” explained Boozer, who earned AP national player of the year honors. “An organization that really believes in me, and understands what I bring to the team. I understand where you go really matters for your career and how your trajectory goes, so that’s the biggest thing for me for sure.”
The son of former Duke and NBA veteran Carlos Boozer matched the national record with 22 double-doubles while posting averages of 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. His father previously suited up for the Jazz and Bulls, and now Cameron could potentially join one of those franchises.
“He loves it here,” Cameron Boozer mentioned regarding his father’s connection to Chicago. “I think he has a very strong fan base here as well. I think he’d be very happy if I was sent to Chicago.”
Wilson compiled impressive numbers with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds during an outstanding campaign that injuries unfortunately shortened. He suffered a broken bone in his left hand shortly after a memorable victory over Duke. Later, as he prepared to return, he fractured his right thumb during a non-contact practice session, ending his season before another clash with the Blue Devils.
Wilson reported his hand is “perfectly fine” and promised the selecting team will acquire a “winner.”
“They’re gonna get somebody who’s dedicated to their franchise, somebody who will change their city for the better,” he stated.
Peterson faced hospitalization due to full-body cramping before the season began and battled additional injuries and illnesses that sidelined him for 11 contests. Despite these setbacks, he excelled when healthy, recording 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while connecting on 38.2% of his three-point attempts across 24 appearances.
Peterson and Dybantsa held recognition as the nation’s premier high school prospects for several years. They delivered an unforgettable performance during a Grind Session matchup on the winter AAU schedule, where Peterson exploded for 58 points representing Prolific Prep and connected on the game-winning three-pointer in the closing moments. Dybantsa contributed 49 points for Utah Prep.
“I just remember me and AJ going back and forth,” Peterson recalled. “It was a great game and I was blessed to come out on top. I’m getting back to that now.”
Dybantsa characterized the contest as an unforgettable moment for spectators.
“If you were at that game, that’s probably a core memory in your whole basketball-watching as a fan,” he reflected. “That was probably a core moment. I think there was a time in the game where we went 15 for 15 straight. It was crazy. He ended up winning, so he got the best me.”
Peterson repeated his success when Kansas defeated BYU in late January, contributing 18 points while Dybantsa managed 17.
Currently, Peterson works to demonstrate that the physical challenges from last season are behind him. Those difficulties may have contributed to his evolution as a more complete player.
“I didn’t have the same step that I had before,” he acknowledged. “If one thing’s bad, something else improves. My shooting improved because of that.”
